Don Bosco Muhazi Celebrates Feast of Mary Help of Christians and Graduation of Single Mothers from Green TVET Program
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by
pdo
Rwanda – July 2, 2026 – Don Bosco Muhazi on Thursday celebrated the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, marked the end of the 2025/2026 academic year, and graduated 12 vulnerable parents—11 single mothers and one man—who completed training in climate-smart agriculture under the Gender Matters for Green TVET initiative.
The Feast of Mary Help of Christians is traditionally celebrated on May 24 each year. At Don Bosco Muhazi, the celebration was postponed and held in July because it coincided with other school activities that required it to be combined with the end-of-year and graduation events.
Faith at the Center
The day began with a Holy Mass led by Fr. Frederick Murindangabo, Provincial Vicar and School Leadership of Don Bosco Muhazi, together with the Parish Priest of Gishaka Parish. During the Mass, candidates received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation in honor of Mary Help of Christians, the patroness of the Salesian family.
12 Graduate from Agriculture Program
A highlight of the event was the graduation of single parents, 11 women and 1 man from Gicumbi and Gasabo Districts, who completed training in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. The program is offered through the Gender Matters for Green TVET initiative.
The graduates, all from vulnerable backgrounds, received farming tools during the ceremony. In recent months they had also been given small livestock including chickens, pigs, and goats to start income-generating activities to support their families.
The graduates were taught a new Greening module introduced after last year’s training. According to Trainer Maniriho Celine, the module focuses on climate-smart agriculture and environmental protection. It covers intercropping with trees, soil conservation through terraces, and the use of organic fertilizer to improve soil health and protect the environment.
Graduate Voices Hope
One of the graduates, Uwineza Belise, said the training had given her new skills to provide for her children.
“Before, I only farmed for food. Now I know how to protect my soil, plant trees with my crops, and use organic fertilizer. This training has given me skills I can use to feed my family and earn income as a single mother,” Uwineza Belise said.
Resilience Amid Funding Challenges
Speaking at the event, Father Frederick Murindangabo reflected on recent difficulties after some supporters withdrew funding for Don Bosco Muhazi due to the Global Economic crisis.
“From the Last year, we faced a challenge when some donors stopped supporting Don Bosco Muhazi. At first, we wondered how we would manage and whether children would have to stop their studies,” Fr. Murindangabo said. “But thanks to Mother Mary Help of Christians, all programs continued, and not a single child left school.”
Closing the School Year
The celebrations also marked the official end of the 2025/2026 academic year at Don Bosco Muhazi, bringing together students, parents, partners, and the local community.
Don Bosco Muhazi TVET School is a Salesian technical and vocational youth centre offering courses in Culinary Arts, Tailoring, Masonry, and Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. The Agriculture and Animal Husbandry course is offered through the Gender Matters for Green TVET program, which nears its final year.
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